Obama on Air Force One: 'It's a nice plane'

Jan. 31, 2014
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President Obama on Air Force One / Mark Zaleski, AP

by David Jackson, USA TODAY

by David Jackson, USA TODAY

One of the perks of being president: You get to make jokes about Air Force One.

President Obama talked about his very special form of transportation during his education speech Thursday in Nashville, where he talked about more professional training for students -- including aviation.

Students can "work on your very own airplane," Obama said. "That's pretty cool -- I didn't get my own plane until I was 47 years old."

"And it's big!" one student helpfully added.

"Yes, it's a nice plane," Obama said. "But I've got to give it back.

"That's the only thing. It's a rental."

The comments reminded one of something President Lyndon Johnson (1963-69) reportedly said at an Air Force Base, when an officer told him, "sir, your helicopter is over here."